Safer Vale support Dry January

The aim is to start a new conversation about alcohol, to get people thinking and talking about their drinking and ultimately to inspire behaviour change following a positive and fun filled month of sobriety.

The challenge is to go booze free for 31 days.

The benefits of giving up alcohol for a short period include:

Improved sleep

Feel better

Losing weight

Improved skin and hair quality

Saving money

These are some of the benefits that were reported by some of the 4,500 people who signed up to Dry January in 2012, and more than 80% of those people said they’d drink less during the rest of the year as a result of their experience.

A spokesperson from Alcohol Concern said “We are absolutely clear that this challenge is not a detox or for those with dependency issues and should never be promoted as such. It’s aimed at the huge number of people who are steadily drinking a bit too much, too often. There are plenty of us at it: 10 million people in the UK are drinking over recommended guidelines and the health implications of this can be seen on almost every ward of every hospital up and down the country”.

“We think there will be plenty of positives for all sections of society from people going dry for a month”.

Remember; once you have completed your 31 day challenge make sure you continue the good work by having at least 2 alcohol free days a week to reduce your harm from alcohol.

Please sign yourself up, and also encourage staff, patients, your family and friends to sign up at www.dryjanuary.org.uk

The campaign website also offers an opportunity to ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you to go booze free for 31 days if you wish to.

Safer Vale is the community safety partnership for the Vale of Glamorgan area. The partners are: South Wales Police; Vale of Glamorgan Council; South Wales Fire and Rescue Service; Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Welsh Assembly Government; Home Office; South Wales Probation Service; VCVS.

Safer Vale’s mission is to reduce the fear of crime by implementing a range of local and regional crime and disorder reduction projects. More details can be found at www.safervale.co.uk

The public can contact Safer Vale by calling the helpline on 01446 450200, or by writing to Safer Vale, Barry Fire Station, Port Road West, Barry, CF63 3AZ.